What to do when the workload becomes overwhelming and unbearable

Working through a day’s worth of tasks is not as easy as it sounds. There are some people who manage to breeze through without any problems, but there are others who end up feeling overwhelmed. Cases like the latter are not necessarily hopeless as there are ways to make the tasks ahead seem less problematic.

Learn the art of self-talk

Harvard Business Review says one skill hard workers should learn immediately is “self-talk.” People can use this technique to motivate or calm themselves. There are various approaches to self-talking, and it would be best to experiment to identify the appropriate approach.

Keep the mind in its good state

Having a good state of mind is also essential, according to a separate report by the Harvard Business Review. It says that mindful meditation can help relax people in as fast as six seconds.

On the other hand, Forbes notes that having a rational and collected approach to things is one of the best ways to cope with being overwhelmed at work. People should understand that imperfections and mistakes are normal and that challenges are “opportunities for growth.”

Track tasks and organize the workload

It is also important for workers to keep tabs on their tasks so that they have established goals to reach in a set period of time.

Moreover, organizing the workload could help people see their remaining tasks. Post-it notes and planners are helpful in organizing work, but employees can also use apps like Google Tasks and Evernote as they offer many features and are easier to use.

Rest up and boot up your system

If the going gets too tough, then it might be time to file for a leave. At the end of the day, we are all just humans, and we need to rest to help our bodies recuperate from the stress. Waiting for the “right” time to rest is inadvisable especially if there are no emergency cases at work. Resting for an hour or a day is a significant help to the human body, and it can make the heavy workload feel lighter.

Inc. says that days off relieve people of stress and lower their risk of getting heart diseases. The article also stated that workers mostly spend their time at the office, but it is not all too good as every hour of sitting in the office is associated with an 18 percent higher chance of dying from cardiovascular diseases.

A time to rest is one way to recover from work stress. (Source)

Shoot down impossible expectations and believe in reasonable assumptions

Most people tend to create unrealistic goals and assumptions about what others would expect from them. To avoid carrying inexistent burdens, people should first gauge what their peers and superiors expect from them.

For instance, people could ask their boss whether or not they need a certain task done immediately. It’s also important to regularly update the higher-ups about the progress of the job. This way, both parties can measure out if a goal is achievable within the day.

In terms of assumptions, people should first assess what it really means to succeed in their field. Setting goals that are virtually unachievable is not a good idea as people could end up disappointing themselves. The best course of action would be to inspect what it means to become a successful worker and then take things from there.

When it comes to setting expectations, Career Intelligence notes that goals should be SMART — specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-framed. The concept bases itself on the benefits of setting the bar at reasonable levels to avoid being overwhelmed by various goal-oriented factors.

These tips are very vital for those feeling overwhelmed by work, and the gist of it is that we should always understand what we are capable of. It’s natural for people to strive to become the best at what they do, but if that comes at the expense of stress, then it will do more harm than good. Success doesn’t come quick, and there is nothing completely wrong with going at a moderate but stress-free pace.